Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & African First Ladies announced the Call for Applications for their “More than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2024 to empower infertile women, support girl education and end child marriage

ACCRA  — Merck Foundation  FASHION Awards “More Than a Mother” to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment; Last date for Entry Submission: 30th September 2024. Apply now at [email protected].

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the First ladies of Africa, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, announced the Call for Applications for their “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2024. Entries for these awards are invited from African Fashion Designers and students. The theme of “More Than a Mother” FASHION Awards is to raise awareness on any of the following social issues: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, and/or Women Empowerment at all levels.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” emphasized, “I strongly believe that Fashion and Art have a purpose much beyond entertainment and looking good. These are strong tools that are very critical in raising awareness on sensitive social issues prevalent in African countries, in an entertaining and innovative way. Therefore, together with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, we invite creative entries from our African talents for these important awards.”

Merck Foundation CEO has also conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, a pan African TV program to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

The TV program is currently broadcasting on KTN Home in Kenya, every Saturday at 5 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.

It has also been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), GHOne & TV3 (Ghana), QTV (The Gambia), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa Limited (Malawi), Defi Media (Mauritius), AYV TV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC TV (Zambia), and ZBC (Zimbabwe) and it immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. “Our Africa” TV Program will soon be broadcast on GTV in Ghana, NBC in Namibia, and ZTN in Zimbabwe. “Our Africa” TV Program is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4ev0JCY), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/47EWi6A), Twitter (http://apo-opa.co/47AcKoi) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4eR2gDN)) and Merck Foundation (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/47Dvi7k), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3XzjYVg), Twitter (http://apo-opa.co/4eeAQaK) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/47G3i34)).